Servicing Struts

[uncle john]

I have just purchased 1494.  I put a new set of tires on it but it still vibrates excessively through the handebars.  Is there information on reconditioning the Struts, specifically how much oil should be in each strut.

[franknsr]

Hey John, Welcome.
By vibes do you mean a buzzing in the, or a harmonic that changes with speed or a wobble on deceleration?
If it is #2, could be balance. Some here have used dyna beads with great success.
If its #3 then you need to tighten the preload on the steering head, or neck bearing.

[wytfut]

John,
     Can you give more info?
     Something like....
       Handle bars shake side to side
       Only on acceleration at specific speeds
       Only on deceleration at specific speeds
       Or both

        Reason..... A lot of us have experinced vibrations in handle bars due to triple tree bearings needing adjustment... They aren't tight enough.
         Also the spacer (bearing) on the front axle has been known not to be reinsalled when taking front tire/wheel has been removed. And it will handle odd...

         Hopefully I'm interpeting the front forks when you mention "struts"...

Bruce

[wytfut]

And is your X showing a leak on those forks?

[uncle john]

Thanks guys for your responses.  The bike came with the original Dunlop tires and I assumed the vibration was caused by the old tires.  I had both front and back replaced with Dunlop Elite 3 tires which were balanced.  At 40 mph the vibration shakes the handlebars to the extent that I cannot see images in my mirrors.  I purchased the bike on 8-26 and there are no signs of leakage on the front struts it was spotless when I picked it up, it has 5930 miles.  It doesn't appear the bike has been ridden in the last 5 years.  This is the reason I thought the front forks(struts) are not functioning properly.

[wytfut]

Sounds like the the bearing steering head/triple tree/neck bearing.... Is loose.....

Other symptoms..... You don't dare take hands off bars?   And it tends not to be so bad below 40, and goes away a bit over 40?

Curious on the miles too.

Also for possible help..... Where are you located. Maybe someone close can help, hands on...

To preload that bearing.... Its not brutal.... But its nice to have a few tools (lift and or jack, allen heads, big bore wrenches).  And some heart...

Bruce

[franknsr]

Hey John,

Sorry to be thick headed about this, but I want to make sure we are chasing the right problem. What Bruce is talking about would be the way to fix a wobble, like the bars are wanting to twist left and right. I'm thinking you might be experiencing a severe vibration, or buzzing in the bars like you are riding a jack hammer.
If it is a loose steering head, I recently did mine and took some pictures I could send your way if you'd like.

[uncle john]

I have some other problems, the engine light stays on and I don't want to ride until it is fixed.  I have a SuperXtune on order from Atlantick EH and hope to be able to analyze the error codes.  I appreciate everyones help.  I will re-post later when I can do a better job of troubleshooting.

[wytfut]

Thanx frank.... And we'll be here john